He Is A Whole Book’ Afridi Feels Tough To Describe Akhtar In A Word

Former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi hailed Shoaib Akhtar, who is his former teammate, describing Akhtar as a match-winner all through their playing career. Akhtar, one amongst his country’s finest bowlers, spent most of his professional career with Afridi, and the duo is certain to know a great deal about each other. Akhtar, also famous as Rawalpindi Express, set the world record for quickest delivery at 161.3 kmph during the 2003 World Cup, and the record is still to be surpassed.

Throughout his 14-year pro career, Akhtar grabbed 444 scalps in 224 games through all formats of the game. While he was faced against the top-class batsmen of his day, the dramatic fights often end up leaving everyone in amazement.

Batsmen used to be under so much pressure while facing Akhtar: Afridi

Shahid Afridi responded to a fan’s question about describing Shoaib Akhtar in one word with an unexpected response. Afridi appeared perplexed and remarked that describing the fearsome speedster in one phrase is tough. He went on to say that Akhtar was indeed a match-winner in his era and stressed the influence he can have on opposing batsmen when pacing his swift deliveries.

“You can’t describe him in one word, he is a whole book! I’ve played across eras, I’ve seen many fast bowlers, but Shoaib Akhtar’s strength, his bravery have wrecked the batsmen over. The batsmen used to be under so much pressure while facing him. He was a match-winner and he has achieved great things for Pakistan,” Afridi said in an Interaction.

In the Legends League Cricket (LLC), Akhtar featured 3 matches for Asia Lions under Misbah-ul captaincy, Haq’s picking up 2 wickets as they were runners-up against World Giants, who triumphed by 25 runs in the finals. Akhtar has stated earlier in 2021 November, he will have a complete knee replacement in Melbourne.

At 42, Afridi had to quit from the event in the half due to injury fears. However, Afridi declared his retirement from international cricket in 2018, although he continued to play T20 leagues and was a component of the just ended PSL 2022 edition, which proved out to be his farewell, as he had previously stated.